FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2012 file photo, US Airways CEO and Chairman Doug Parker applauds the crew of flight 1549 in New York. Parker has no problem performing his own version of Gangnam Style before hundreds of employees. The CEO of US Airways even let a video of his dance get posted to YouTube. He's tall, outspoken and a competitor. He's also persistent. And that explains why he's very close to being put in charge of the world's largest airline, a product of the merger between American Airlines and US Airways. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin, File)
Foreign holdings of US debt hit $5.56T in December
Published: 08:42:23 PM, Fri 15 February 2013 UTC
WASHINGTON (AP) — Foreign demand for U.S. Treasury securities rose to a record level in December, evidence that overseas investors remained confident in U.S. debt despite on-going budget battles in Washington.
The Treasury Department said Friday that foreign holdings of U.S. Treasurys rose 0.3 percent in December from November to $5.56 trillion. It was the 12th consecutive monthly gain.
China, the top foreign holder, increased its holdings 1.7 percent to $1.2 trillion. Japan, the second largest holder, boosted its investment 0.2 percent to $1.12 trillion.
Demand kept rising in December even as Congress approached a deadline to raise the government's $16.4 trillion borrowing limit. In January, Congress approved a measure to temporarily suspend the borrowing limit until May 19. That has allowed the government to take on more debt while the debate continues.
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